Saturday, February 16, 2008

This blog's first guest post is by inveterate and unrepentant Genealogue reader Doogles McQuig:

In response to my query about the subject of challenge #117, Mario "Contasino", a most courteous reference librarian at the Riverside Library in Yonkers sent the following important clue:

I looked up 300 Yonkers Avenue in the 1936 criss-cross directory. (1936 is one of the few years for which I have a criss-cross.) There I found listings for Nicholas V. Castasano, who is listed as employed in the junk business, and for Edward F. Castasano, who is listed as employed in “trucking.” Proceeding to the 1936 city directory proper, I found the same listings, but with some additional information; most significantly, that the wife of Nicholas is named Michelina.

The librarian (not knowing any other details) tentatively concluded the correct spelling was probably "Castasano," and thus a Mario Castasano was the person to be found. But a quick search on Castasano turns up almost nothing. On the other hand, a much more common usage was Cantasano, and look what juicy details that name turns up:

Remember that Mario had two sisters in Brooklyn? Well, here's Edward M. (Mario anyone?) Cantasano with two sisters in Brooklyn. Right name, right place, right age, right family configuration. The middle initial is a bit of a misdirect because it's inconsistent with the Yonkers directory. However, continuing the search on "Edward F. Cantasano," the SSDI reveals a man of that name born on November 25, 1905, with the number issued before 1951 in New York. That works. Googling on "Edward Cantasano" leads to the Rootsweb Brooklyn archive, which tells us Edward graduated 8th grade in June of 1920 from Public School 17 at Driggs avenue and North Fifth street in Brooklyn. Still fits. Finally, and this is sweet, a search on Ancestry leads to a WWII service record for an unmarried Edward F. Cantasano who was born November 25, 1905 and enlisted from Westchester County, NY on 12 Mar 1942.

I wonder what inspired him to enlist?

Edward F. Cantasano died on January 17, 1989 and, according to the records at Ancestry.com, was interred on 24 Mar 1989 at Calverton National Cemetery, 210 Princeton Boulevard Rt 25 Calverton, NY 11933, Section 8 Site 13092.

So, what about it Genealoguers? Is this our guy? How best to find a next of kin?

I'll post a few more details in the comments, including some passport data on Nicholas, and a presumed uncle of Edward's named Vito G. Cantasano. They were each born in Craco, which happens to be in the province of Potenza, in the south Italy.

I had been thinking Michelina was a second wife, and that Madeline was deceased, as the NYT article indicated. But that marriage record is almost too good of a match to pass up. The census records indicate Mom & Dad Cantasano were married about 1893.

Most of the naturalization data agrees with that from the Ancestry passport applications:

Nicola V. Cantasano born at Craco, Italy on 22 Sep 1868; emigrated from Naples about Dec 1882; resided 14 years uninterrupted from 1882 to 1896 in New York City; naturalized before Superior Court of NY on 9th March 1893; permanent residence of NYC; dealer in paper stock; intends to return to the US in six months. Signed Nicola V. Cantasano, 2 Mar 1896

No picture, but he was 5-3 and 1/2 inches tall, and had a big nose!

Vito G. Cantasano born at Craco, Italy on 28 April 1865; emigrated from Naples on 20 April 1884 on the Britannia; resided 19 years uninterrupted from 1884 to 1903 in New York City; naturalized before Superior Court of NY on 9th March 1893; permanent residence at 395 Pearl Street in NY; occupation of paper stock; intends to return to US in a few months. Signed Vito G, Cantasano; 26 Sep 1903

No picture of Vito either, but he was five feet tall with an ordinary nose. Luck of the draw, i guess. He-he-he.

In November 1902, an ad was placed in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle by M. V. Cantasano of 2056 Homecrest Ave., Brooklyn seeking the services of a housekeeper. Nicholas V. Castasano lived at 2052 Homecrest Ave. in 1910.

"The Ruland & Whiting Company has sold the property 177 South Street, opposite the Long Island Railroad ferry. The ship chandlery firm of Floyd and Newins have owned and occupied the building for about twenty-five years. The present purchasers are Nicholas V. Castasano & Brother, paper stock dealers."

Looks like Dominick Casatasano is a brother also. There was some data in google books that indicates he is in business Nicola. He has a large family in the 1910 census and his occupation is paper dealer. Nicola's two daughters should be good targets to find a next of kin, as well as any offspring of Vito and Dominick. Chris, did you tell your readers about the big prize you're offering to the first who comes up with a living next of kin?

ACK ... in my comment above about the NYT article "South Street Parcel Changes Hands", I notice I used the spelling "Castasano." That is my mistake; the article spelled the name "Cantasano." I repeated the typo in the next comment below it. The google books entry for Dominick correctly spelled the name "Cantasano." My bad.

These clips from the local Yonkers papers add some color to the story and firm up that Mario was a son of Nikola.

From the Yonkers Herald, 21 Dec 1931, p5

Excerpt...When a Herald man called at the Contasino home this morning -- a second floor flat in a house all but hidden from the street by billboards -- to learn of his visit with the Churchills, the youth was too reticent to talk with the reporter. So far was he from seeking publicity in connection with the incident that he refused, through his father, to pose for a photograph.

His father, Nikola, at work in his rags factory adjoining the home, told how deeply concerned Mario was over the accident, and a note of pride crept into his voice as he said the statesman might have been more seriously injured if any other driver had been at the wheel. The Contasinos have been residents of Yonkers for the past seven years, having come here from New York.

Mario, his father said, had been employed as a driver at the Saso stone quarries here until the end of last summer. Since that time he has been looking for another position, unsuccessful until now....

From the Yonkers Statesman, 21 Dec 1931. p7

Excerpt...When Mario's father Nikola was informed of his son's friendship, he was told that Churchill was formerly Chancellor of the British Exchequer, the position being similar to the Secretary of the Treasury in Washington.